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Today’s Battlegrounds

Today’s Battlegrounds

Hoover Institution 96 Episodes Aug 13, 2026

Battlegrounds is a podcast that provides a needed forum with leaders from key countries to share their assessment of problem sets and opportunities that have implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy.

Episodes

Norway: Defense and Diplomacy in the High North and Beyond | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Norway: Defense and Diplomacy in the High North and Beyond | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Aug 13, 2026 2917 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ine Eriksen Søreide discuss the future of U.S.–Norway cooperation in the High North, Russia’s threat across the Arctic and North Atlantic, and what it will take for Norway to protect critical infrastructure and preserve democratic resilience in this more dangerous European security environment. For more conversations from world leaders fr
Iraq: Reform and the Fight for Sovereignty | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Iraq: Reform and the Fight for Sovereignty | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Aug 4, 2026 3829 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Haider al-Abadi discuss the future of US–Iraq relations as the new Prime Minister al-Zaidi and his government endeavor to strengthen Iraqi sovereignty, fight corruption, improve security, recover from a regional war, and diversify its economy. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notif
Singapore: Strategy in an Age of Great Power Competition | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Singapore: Strategy in an Age of Great Power Competition | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Jul 28, 2026 2883 On the 100th episode of Today's Battlegrounds, join Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss how Singapore is charting its own strategy amid great-power competition, the future of the U.S.–Singapore strategic partnership in advancing regional security, and how the United States and its partners can preserve a free a
Poland: On the Front Line of Freedom | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Poland: On the Front Line of Freedom | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Jul 21, 2026 2264 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Radosław Sikorski discuss the future of NATO deterrence on the alliance’s eastern flank, the U.S.–Poland strategic partnership’s role in securing Europe, and what a successful outcome in Ukraine would mean for European security and the defense of democratic nations. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe t
Japan: Security, Prosperity, and the Japan-US Alliance | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Japan: Security, Prosperity, and the Japan-US Alliance | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Jul 15, 2026 3174 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Shigeru Kitamura discuss Japan’s transformation into a leader in economic statecraft, how democratic nations can secure strategic autonomy in critical technologies and supply chains, and the future of US-Japan cooperation in confronting coercion, cyber threats, and growing competition in the Indo-Pacific. For more conversations from world
Colombia: Security, Democracy, and the Future of the Americas | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Colombia: Security, Democracy, and the Future of the Americas | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Jul 2, 2026 3478 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Iván Duque Márquez discuss the implications of Colombia’s runoff election, the threats associated with narcotics and transnational crime, and how the United States and Colombia can strengthen security and confidence in democratic institutions. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notif
Greece’s Comeback: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Economy, Security, and Governance | Hoover Institution
Greece’s Comeback: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Economy, Security, and Governance | Hoover Institution Jun 11, 2026 2782 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Kyriakos Mitsotakis discuss Greece’s economic resurgence, the country’s expanding role in international security, and the future of US-Greek cooperation. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Kyriakos Mitsotakis serves as Prime Mi
Germany: The Future of Transatlantic Relations | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Germany: The Future of Transatlantic Relations | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Jun 9, 2026 3627 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Norbert Röttgen discuss US-German relations, Germany’s defense, economic, and foreign policy priorities; strains in transatlantic relations; and the future of NATO and the European Union.  For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr
Finland: NATO’s First Line of Defense | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Finland: NATO’s First Line of Defense | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Jun 2, 2026 3133 In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Kai Sauer discuss Finland's defense and economic priorities, its role in NATO, Russia's persistent threat to European security, and how US-Finland cooperation enhances both nations’ security and prosperity. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABO
Cuba at a Crossroads: Crisis and the Long Struggle for Liberty | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Cuba at a Crossroads: Crisis and the Long Struggle for Liberty | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution May 13, 2026 2843 Join Rosa María Payá, founder of Cuba Decide and a commissioner on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss US-Cuba relations, Cuba’s deepening economic and humanitarian crisis, its internal challenges of governance and repression, and prospects for a more peaceful and secure future for the Cuban people. For more conversations from wor
The Iran Wars: History, Ideology, and Prospects for Peace | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
The Iran Wars: History, Ideology, and Prospects for Peace | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Apr 24, 2026 2617 Join Abbas Milani and H.R. McMaster as they discuss the Iran War, its effects on the Iranian people, the Iranian regime, and prospects for peace and security in the Middle East and beyond. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Professor Abbas Milani is the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Dire
Denmark and the Future of NATO: What Comes Next for Western Security? | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution
Denmark and the Future of NATO: What Comes Next for Western Security? | Today's Battlegrounds | Hoover Institution Apr 15, 2026 1970 Join Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss international security, the prospects for the US-Danish relationship, and the health of NATO and the transatlantic alliance as wars continue in Ukraine and the Middle East. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of t

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